19 awesome Soho spots, as recommended by locals

Giving Londoners their kicks since 1536, Soho was voted the city’s most loved neighbourhood in our recent City Life Index. We asked our local experts, the Time Out Tastemakers, for their top picks in the capital’s other square mile.

Best breakfast or brunch

‘Pastries at Maison Bertaux: satisfying French baked goods made fresh every day.’ LeeLee Seah

Best lunch

‘Bodean’s serves totally delicious (and not overpriced) brisket burnt ends, pulled pork and smoked ribs.’ Luisa Gottardo

‘Patty & Bun, absolutely no question. London’s best burgers and wings and awesome cocktails.’ Luke Taylor

Best dinner

‘Hoppers: incredibly good Sri Lankan food that packs an almighty punch!’ Jonathan Boyle

‘Breddos’s tacos are unspeakably delicious. And Bone Daddies: I almost licked the plate after eating the Korean fried chicken wings.’ Eva Pitarides

Best cheap eat

‘Berwick Street Market: the best falafel with fried aubergines for a fiver, or gozleme for a fourer (if that’s a word).’ Nancy Xu

‘Bibimbap: simple Korean food that tastes amazing and comes in huge portions!’ Chelsey Campbell

‘Eat Tokyo. The sashimi is fantastically fresh and surprisingly affordable.’ Manmeet Singh

 Best coffee

‘Algerian Coffee Stores is incredible! It sells coffee to take home but also has a proper coffee machine where you can get a cappuccino for about £1.50.’ Georgie Pursey

‘Soho Grind. It still counts as a coffee if it has alcohol in it, right?’ Paula Kanesanathan

Best street to walk down

‘Old Compton Street: the heart of Soho. You never know who you’ll bump into.’ Luisa Gottardo

Best place to relax

‘Golden Square, with a cinnamon bun from the Nordic Bakery in hand.’ Laura Goldmeier

Best place for fun

‘Awesome comedy nights at the Soho Theatre.’ Kitty Smith

‘Balans on Old Compton Street never fails to put a smile on my face. I went in there heartbroken one day and the bartenders cheered me up with porn star martinis.’ Sam Brown

Best place for a date

‘Jazz After Dark: great live jazz/blues in a hidden, dark bar adorned with Amy Winehouse art!’ Veronica O’Grady

‘Downstairs at Yauatcha. The black ceiling with small lights makes you feel like you’re dining under the stars.’ Leena Shah

Best thing to do

‘The Photographers’ Gallery has great exhibitions. Also, it would be remiss of me not to mention Ronnie Scott’s jazz club.’ Gemma Harris

Best thing to Instagram

‘The neon “peep show” signs outside La Bodega Negra restaurant: a beautiful nod to Soho’s past (and great for confusing tourists!).’ Neil Hassall